In this article, we will discuss the Hypertensive Emergency. So, let’s get started.
Hypertensive Emergency
According to JNC (Joint National Committee) VI report, a hypertensive emergency was defined as a severely elevated BP diastolic >130 mmHg with signs or symptoms of acute target organ damage (e.g. eye- hypertensive retinopathy, papilledema, kidney- renal impairment or failure, blood vessels- peripheral vascular disease, etc), requiring parenteral drug treatment, close observation in ICU and immediate reduction of blood pressure (within one hour) to avoid risk of morbidity or death.
These are patients with severe asymptomatic hypertension with BP >220/120 mmHg with ocular fundal changes.
Common Hypertensive Emergency includes:
- Hypertensive encephalopathy or malignant hypertension
- Hypertensive nephropathy
- Acute aortic dissection
- Pheochromocytoma crisis
- Hypertension with LVF
- Pre-eclampsia
- MAO inhibitors with tyramine interaction
- Intracranial hemorrhage